Waste disposal

ABSTRACT

The waste disposal system disclosed herein includes a chamber operated at high ampere and low voltage, the chamber configured to inject smoke on a stream of free radicals. In one implementation, the stream of free radicals is generated from a plasma igniter and the smoke is generated from waste products, such as hospital waste products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit and priority of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/782,877, filed on 1 Mar. 2013, and entitled “WASTEDISPOSAL,” which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,735, which claims benefitand priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/648,377, filedon 17 May 2012, entitled “WASTE DISPOSAL,” of which both arespecifically incorporated herein by reference for all that they discloseor teach.

FIELD

Implementations disclosed herein relate, in general, to informationmethods and systems for disposal of waste.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Waste disposal is a major problem in modern economies. As theconsumption of products increase per capita, so does the generation ofwaste material. Various systems used for waste disposal includehousehold waste disposal systems, industrial waste disposal systems,hospital waste disposal systems, etc. Typical household waste disposalsystems include expensive and environmentally unfriendly trucking andlandfill operations. Industrial waste from factories, refineries, etc.,is generally disposed of using methods that involve burning the wasteand generating hothouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, etc.These existing waste disposal systems are typically energy inefficientand environmentally unfriendly. Furthermore, due to the composition ofthe exhaust generated by such existing waste disposal systems, they donot meet various guidelines and requirements of the environmentalprotection agency (EPA).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presenttechnology may be realized by reference to the figures, which aredescribed in the remaining portion of the specification. In the figures,like reference numerals are used throughout several figures to refer tosimilar components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example block diagram for a waste disposalsystem.

FIG. 2 illustrates second example implementation of a secondary chamberused to process smoke generated from waste.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example concentric pipe system used inthe secondary chamber.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternative of example pipe system usedin the secondary chamber.

FIG. 5 illustrates example operations used by the waste disposal systemused herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an example waste processor.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the example waste processor with thedoor to the waste processor removed.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top or plan view of the example waste processor.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side or elevation view of the example wasteprocessor.

FIG. 10 illustrates side and front views of an example waste disposalsystem disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates example flow of various content into the secondarychamber of the waste disposal system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present technology are disclosed herein in thecontext of a content management system. In the following description,for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Forexample, while various features are ascribed to particularimplementations, it should be appreciated that the features describedwith respect to one implementation may be incorporated with otherimplementations as well. By the same token, however, no single featureor features of any described implementation should be consideredessential to the invention, as other implementations of the inventionmay omit such features.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine functions of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions should bemade in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such ascompliance with application—and business-related constraints, and thatthose specific goals will vary from one implementation to another andfrom one developer to another.

A waste disposal system disclosed herein converts waste products intobenign and useful output. An example implementation of the wastedisposal system provides for converting waste products into smoke andinjecting the smoke into a stream of free radicals. The stream of freeradicals, such as those generated in a low energy or “cold” plasma,reacts with the smoke, initiating a free radical series of reactionsthat breaks apart the components of the smoke. In an implementation, thewaste product is the waste generated in hospitals, such as red bag wastecomprising contaminated and hazardous material. In an alternativeimplementation, the waste product is the waste generated from arefinery, a chemical factory, other industrial facility, etc. The wastedisposal system disclosed herein generates output that isenvironmentally friendly and generally in compliance with variousenvironmental protection agency (EPA) regulations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example block diagram for a waste disposalsystem 100 used for disposing waste material. Specifically, the wastedisposal system 100 uses the stream generated from a cold plasma sourceto react with and dispose of the smoke generated by a primary pyrolysissystem where the waste material is introduced. One implementation of thewaste disposal system 100 includes a primary chamber 110 and a secondarychamber 112. The primary chamber 110 is used to generate cold plasma.While FIG. 1 discloses the primary chamber 110 and the secondary chamber112 as separate chambers, in an alternate implementation, the primarychamber 110 and the secondary chamber 112 may be implemented as distinctzones in a common reactor. In an alternative implementation, the primarychamber comprises a non-equilibrium non-thermal plasmadischarge-system-reactor, with the plasma zone created through microwavesystems, dielectric barrier discharges, repetitively pulsed nanoseconddischarges, or other similar process.

The term plasma is used herein to refer to a gas consisting of a singlecompound or a plurality of compounds in which a certain portion of themolecules are ionized. For example, plasma may be generated through acascade of electrons colliding with gaseous molecules, thus turning thegas into plasma that contains charged particles, positive ions, negativeelectrons, etc. A plasma is referred to as cold plasma if a smallfraction of the gas molecules are ionized. Typically, cold plasma existsat temperatures from room temperature to up to a few thousand degreeCelsius or less. In one example implementation, the primary chamber 110is stoichiometrically controlled based on quantitative relationshipsbetween various reactants of the plasma.

The waste disposal system 100 uses the cold plasma generated by theprimary chamber 110 to dispose of waste products. In one implementation,smoke generated from waste products is impinged on the cold plasma inthe secondary chamber 112 to break the smoke particles apart intoenvironmentally friendly components. Smoke generated from the wasteproducts includes combustible hydrocarbon effluents or combustiblecarbonaceous affluent. In some situations, smoke comprises aerosolconsisting of combustible gas molecules. In alternative situations, thesmoke generated from the waste products comprises gaseous molecules,droplets of water, carbonaceous particles, ash, metal components, etc.In one example implementation, the secondary chamber 112 is alsostoichiometrically controlled based on quantitative relationshipsbetween various reactants of the plasma and the components of the smokeinput therein.

The primary chamber 110 includes a plasma igniter 122 having an anode124 and a cathode 126. In one implementation, the input to the primarychamber includes fuel 114, air 116, steam 118, and inert gas 120. Forexample, the inert gas includes nitrogen, neon, helium, air, etc. A veryhigh potential is applied between the anode 124 and the cathode 126. Forexample, potential applied to the plasma igniter may be in the range of1000 V with a low current in the range of 1 ampere, resulting in lowaverage power in the range of 1000 watts. As the input 114-120 passesthrough the plasma igniter, various components of the input 114-120 areionized, generating cold plasma 128 containing stream of radicals, suchas H—, OH—, H₂O₂, etc. In one implementation, the cold plasma 128 outputfrom the primary chamber 110 is at very high temperature, in the rangeof 1000 degree Celsius or higher.

The cold plasma 128 is introduced into the secondary chamber 112. Thesecondary chamber 112 also receives smoke 130. In one implementation ofthe waste disposal system 100, the smoke 130 is the exhaust gas 132received from an industrial plant 134, such as a chemical plant, arefinery, etc. In one implementation a system to convert the input tothe secondary chamber 112 may be processed by a pyrolysis or othersystem 133 located at the receiving end of a conduit connected to thesecondary chamber 112. Alternatively, the smoke 130 is the output 136generated by processing waste products 138 using a waste processor 140.For example, the waste products 138 may be bags of waste collected froma hospital, such as the red bag waste from hospitals, containingbio-hazardous material. Alternatively, the waste products 138 are wasteproducts from a chemical processing factory, household waste, etc. Theprocessor 140 coverts the waste products 138 into output 136 thatinclude various gaseous molecules, water droplets, etc.

The secondary chamber 112 also receives steam 142, air 144, and inertgas or a carbon and hydrogen containing (combustible) gas to balance thestoichiometry of the system 146. The location where each of thecomponents is introduced to the secondary chamber 112 and the amount ofthese components introduced to the secondary chamber 112 is monitored soas to control reactions in the secondary chamber In one implementation,a structure using concentric pipes is used to introduce the cold plasma128, the smoke 130, the steam 142, the air 144, and the inert gas 146into the secondary chamber 112. An example implementation of thesecondary chamber 112 using the concentric pipes is disclosed in furtherdetail in FIG. 3 below.

Impinging the smoke 130 on the cold plasma 128 causes various reactionsresulting in breaking of the components of the smoke 130 into componentparticles 150. For example, the component particles 150 includehydrogen, oxygen, various metal particles, etc. The composition of thecomponent particles 150 depends on the composition of the waste products138 used to generate the output 136 or the composition of the exhaustgases 132. In an implementation, one or both of the primary chamber 110and the secondary chamber 112 are operated using DC power. Yetalternatively, such DC power is pulsed.

FIG. 2 illustrates second example implementation of a secondary chamber200 that may be used to process smoke generated from waste.Specifically, the secondary chamber 200 receives cold plasma 202 from aprimary chamber. Such cold plasma 202 includes various radicals, singletspecies, ionic species, high energy and excited state species, andmolecular fragments. The cold plasma 202 may be at or above thetemperature of 1000 degree Celsius. The secondary chamber 200 alsoreceives smoke 204 from waste products, air, steam, and inert gases 206from various concentric pipes (not disclosed). The amount of air, steam,and the inert gases 206 are monitored so as to control the processing ofthe smoke 204 in the secondary chamber 200. In one implementation of thesecondary chamber 200, the air introduced from end of the secondarychamber distal from the end where the cold plasma 202 is introduced. Insuch an implementation, the flow of air is rotated around to cause areverse vortex of air into a first section 212 of the secondary chamber200. For example, the first section 212 may be operating at atemperature of 1100 degree Celsius. The introduction of the air usingthe reverse vortex keeps the outer wall of the secondary chamber 200cool in presence of high inner temperature.

The smoke 204 introduced to the first section 212 may include variousignitable particles having high BTU value typically between 1 and 10BTU/g (BTU per gram), but as high as 50 to 100 BTU/g. The impinging ofthe smoke 204 on the plasma 202 in the first section 212 initiatesreaction to generate CH, CH₂, CH₃, etc., from the smoke. Subsequentlythese components start combining with the oxygen in the air to generateCO, CO₂, etc., as the cold plasma 202, the smoke 204, the air and theother components travel along the secondary chamber 200. Variouscomponents of the mixture at various points along the secondary chamber200 are measured and based on the measured amounts, the input of smoke,air, steam, etc., is changed. Compositions at the start of the processare typically 2%-15% CO (carbon monoxide), 1% to 10% CxHy (representinga typical hydrocarbon either in gaseous or liquid droplet form), and0.1% to 1% carbon soot. Compositions exiting the changer would reducethe CO to parts per million, reduce the hydrocarbon content to parts permillion or even billion, eliminate all solid carbon, and create a smallamount (parts per billion) of oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Inone implementation, the amounts of the mixture are also changed inresponse to measured temperature in the secondary chamber 200. Atrelatively low temperatures—and well below operating temperatures, theamount of CO exiting the system would still be relatively high (partsper thousands). Meanwhile, at higher temperatures—and well above typicaloperating temperatures, the NOx concentration steadily increases due tothe reaction of nitrogen in the air. Keeping the temperature controlledand at typical operating parameters for the system prevents theformation of appreciable concentrations of either unwanted species. Inone implementation, the operating temperatures are in the range of 800C. to 2000 C. Yet alternatively, the amount of mixture is also selectedbased on the waste products that are used to generate the smoke 204.Thus, for example, if the smoke 204 is generated using waste productsfrom a hospital, the typical breakdown of hospital waste in terms ofcomponents is used to determine the mixture of air, steam, inert gas,etc., introduced in the secondary chamber. Yet alternatively, themixture is determined based on ratio of various components in the wasteproduct used to generate the smoke 204. The use of a carbon and hydrogencontaining gas as an additive to stoichiometrically balance the reactionreduces the probability of compositional variants.

In an alternate implementation of the secondary chamber 200, variouscatalysts 220 are provided to affect the reactions among the cold plasma202 and the smoke 204. For example, metal sponges mesh or otherembodiment is used as the catalyst 220 in the secondary chamber. Thecatalysts—metal type—220 may be selected based on the typical breakdownof the waste product used to generate the smoke 204. For example, metalsused are platinum, rhodium, nickel, some forms of iron and iron oxide,or alloys. The output 210 of the secondary chamber 200 is evaluated forvarious components such as NO_(R), CO, VOCs, HCL, SO₂, etc. Based on theamount of one or more of these components, the input of the smoke 204,air, steam, etc., input to the secondary chamber is changed.

The components of the cold plasma 202 react with the components of thesmoke 204 to convert the smoke particles into useful and benignproducts. For example, the smoke 204 introduced into the secondarychamber 200 includes various molecules, chemicals, chemical species,by-products from reactions, wastes, solvents, in-process unreactedmaterials, other carbonaceous materials, etc. The cold plasma 202 reactswith such components of the smoke 204 to generate output 210 includingNO_(R), CO, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), HCL, SO₂, etc.

In yet alternative implementation of the secondary chamber 200 a metalscrubber 222 is used at the exit end of the secondary chamber 200. Sucha metal scrubber 222 is used to scrub metal components from the output210 of the secondary chamber 200. The type of the metal scrubber 222used in a particular secondary chamber 200 may be determined based onthe type of the waste product used to generate smoke, etc. The output210 is typically at a very high temperature, in the range of 1000 degreeCelsius. In an alternative implementation of the secondary chamber 200,the heat energy from the output 210 is collected and or diverted forother use. Such collection and divergence of the heat energy increasesthe efficiency of the secondary chamber 200.

Because the secondary chamber 200 is using cold plasma 202 to react withthe smoke 204, a plasma torch used in the secondary chamber may beoperated at very low current, wherein the torch impinges plasma on thesmoke or the smoke is impinged on the plasma in the secondary chamber.For example, the plasma torch may be operated at around 1 ampere, atvery low average power, around 1000 watts or less, and at very highpotential, around 1000 kV. Such operating parameters provide for alow-intensity operating process that does not have any flame typical ofcombustion processes. As a result, a waste disposal system using thecold plasma in the secondary chamber 200 does not require afterburnersthat are typical in conventional combustion processes or pyrolyticsystems. In an implementation, the secondary chamber 200 is operatedusing DC power. Yet alternatively, such DC power is pulsed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of a secondary chamber 300 using anumber of concentric pipes. Specifically, the implementation of thesecondary chamber 300 discloses three concentric pipes 302, 304, and306. However, in an alternative implementation, more or less number ofconcentric parts may also be used. The secondary chamber 300 is used toimpinge smoke generated from waste products onto cold plasma 310. In oneimplementation, the cold plasma 300 is introduced into the secondarychamber 300 from a primary chamber (not shown). The cold plasma 300 mayinclude a stream of free radicals including a plurality of freeradicals, singlet species, ionic species, high energy and excited statespecies, and molecular fragments. The cold plasma 300 may react with thecomponents of the smoke to useful or benign products. The smokeintroduced into the secondary chamber 300 may include gasses from thepyrolytic process including all molecules, chemicals, chemical species,by products from reactions, wastes, solvents, in-process unreactedmaterials and other carbonaceous materials.

The concentric pipes 302, 304, and 306 are used to introduce air, steam,and inert gases into the secondary chamber 300. In an alternativeimplementation, or one or more of the flows may be introduced at anangle to the main flow. In one implementation, an inner pipe 306 is usedto insert inert gases 312, a middle pipe 304 is used to insert steam314, and an outer pipe 302 is used to insert air 316 into the secondarychamber 300. The introduction of air 316 through the outer pipe 302allows cooling of the outer walls of the secondary chamber 300.Furthermore, the introduction of the air, steam, and the inert gas inthe manner described herein allows creation of reverse vortex in thesecondary chamber that provides momentum to the flow of cold plasma 310through the secondary chamber 300 towards an exit end 320. As the coldplasma 300 travels through the secondary chamber 300, it reacts with thesmoke to generate useful and benign products towards the exit end 320 ofthe secondary chamber 300.

In an alternative implementation, the pipes 302, 304, 306 are notconcentric. For example, while the inner pipe 306 is disposed inside themiddle pipe 304, it is not necessarily disposed concentric to the pipe306. Thus, for example, the inner pipe 306 may be disposed in a mannersuch that it is not centered at the same axis as the center of themiddle pipe 304, etc. Furthermore, the secondary chamber 300 of FIG. 3discloses using air flowing in at right angle (or other angles) to thepipes to create a reverse vortex. In one implementation, air-flow issplit in several ways and divided between the flow direction vents, theconcentric pipes, and the plasma torch—either in combination orsingularly. In an alternative implementation, pressure systems may beused in place of the concentric pipes to generate the reverse vortexinside the secondary chamber 300. Yet alternatively, ions may be used tocreate the vortex in the secondary pipes wherein the ions are used togenerate a pulling force on the cold plasma 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative implementation of a secondary chamber400 using number of pipes some of the pipes are concentric and one ormore pipes are at an angle to the concentric pipes. Specifically, theimplementation of the secondary chamber 400 discloses two concentricpipes 402 and 404, and another pipe 406 at an angle to the concentricpipes 402 and 404. The secondary chamber 400 is used to impinge smokegenerated from waste products onto cold plasma 410. In oneimplementation, the cold plasma 400 is introduced into the secondarychamber 300 from a primary chamber (not shown). The pipes 402, 404, and406 are used to introduce air, steam, and inert gases into the secondarychamber 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates various operations 500 for disposing waste using acold plasma system. Note that while the operations 500 are disclosed ina particular order, in other implementation, the operations 500 may beperformed in an alternate order than as disclosed herein. Specifically,an operation 510 receives disposal material for the waste disposalsystem. Such disposal material may be, for example, hospital wastematerial in red bags, chemical waste material, other industrial wastematerial from a factory, etc. Subsequently, an operation 512 generatessmoke from the disposal material. In one implementation, the operation512 may generate flow from the waste products using non-pyrolytic ornon-thermal process.

Subsequently, an operation 514 generates cold plasma or a stream of freeradicals. In one implementation, the operation 514 generates cold plasmausing a non-equilibrium non-thermal plasma discharge-system-reactor,with the plasma zone created through microwave systems, dielectricbarrier discharges, repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharges, orJacob's ladder based discharges, or other similar process.

Subsequently, an injecting operation 516 injects air, steam, and inertgas into the secondary chamber to further cause the reactions thatconvert smoke components into benign products. The components of thecold plasma react with the components of the smoke to convert the smokecomponents into various benign products. Another injecting operation 518injects smoke into a stream of cold plasma. In one implementation, theinjecting operation 518 uses a secondary chamber in which smoke isinjected onto a stream of cold plasma.

Subsequently, a measuring operation 520 measures various parametersinside the secondary chamber where the cold plasma is reacting with thesmoke. For example, the measuring operation 520 measures the temperatureand pressure inside the secondary chamber, the composition of variouscomponents inside the secondary chamber, etc. A varying operation 522uses the measured value of the various parameters to determine if thereare any changes necessary to the input mixture, the temperature, etc.,inside the secondary chamber. For example, if the measuring operation520 detects an excess amount of water droplets in the secondary chamber,the varying operation 522 reduces the amount of steam input to thesecondary chamber. A monitoring operation 524 monitors the output fromthe secondary chamber. Such output may be, for example, hydrogen,oxygen, various metals, etc. In an implementation, the composition ofthe mixture of smoke, air, steam, and inert gases input to the secondarychamber may also be varied based on the measured output by operation524.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view 600 of a waste processor that may beused to process waste products, such as hospital waste contained in redbags. The waste processor is used to generate smoke from the wasteproducts.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view 700 of the waste processor with the doorto the waste processor removed.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top or plan view 800 of the waste processor.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side or elevation view 900 of the waste processor.

FIG. 10 illustrates side and front views of secondary chamber 1000 of anexample waste disposal system disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 10illustrates a side view 1002 illustrating the secondary chamber of thewaste disposal system and a front view 1004 of the secondary chamber ofthe waste disposal system. The secondary chamber 1000 is connected tovarious concentric pipes 1010 to receive air, smoke, etc. In analternative implementation, one or more of the pipes 1010 may be at anangle to the other pipes. The secondary chamber 1000 includes reactionzones 1012, 1014 where various reactions take place. The secondarychamber 1000 may be connected to plasma torch via one or more plasmainjection points 1016. An end of the secondary chamber 1000 includes adischarge zone 1020. In one implementation, a sensor apparatus 1022 isattached to the discharge zone, wherein the sensor apparatus 1022 may beconfigured to measure temperature, pressure, and other parameters of thecontent in the discharge zone 1022. The measured value of the parametersmay be used to control the flow of air, smoke, plasma, etc., into thesecondary chamber 1000. The front view 1004 of the secondary chamber1000 illustrates air flow injection points 1030, optional steaminjection point 1032, etc., that are connected to the one or more of thepipes 1010.

FIG. 11 illustrates example flow 1100 of various content into thesecondary chamber of the waste disposal system.

The waste disposal system disclosed herein breaks down waste using aprimary pyrolysis process followed by a discharge chamber or primaryregion of a discharge chamber to generate a plurality of radicals,singlet species, ionic species, high energy and excited state species,and molecular fragments to chemically react and convert gasses from thepyrolytic process including all molecules, chemicals, chemical species,by products from reactions, wastes, solvents, in-process unreactedmaterials and other carbonaceous materials to useful or benign productspresent in a secondary discharge chamber or secondary region of a commondischarge chamber.

In one implementation, The reaction takes place by impinging the outputof a gas discharge system created in a primary discharge chamber orprimary region of a common discharge chamber onto the material to beconverted or reacted which is present in a secondary discharge chamberor secondary region of a common discharge chamber.

The starting material used in the primary discharge chamber, primaryregion of a common discharge chamber or reactor ideally comprises polarinorganic or organic molecules (example: water, ammonia, amines,alcohols, etc.) which are converted to singlet state species, reactiveradicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species of theoriginal material, and made to impinge on a stream of the main materialto be reacted. The impinging stream and main material to be reacted arecombined in a secondary high field region of a common or separatereactor, wherein chemical reactions are induced and the material to betreated is converted to benign or other useful products. The overallcommon or individual reactor design is optimized to facilitate energymanagement and capture.

The discharge chambers are characterized by discharge systems operatingat very low current (˜1 A) and low average power (˜1000 W), but veryhigh potential (kV). This and non-combustion process and apparatus islow intensity, does not have a conventional flame front typical ofcombustion processes and does not require afterburners typical ofconventional combustion processes or pyrolytic systems.

The primary discharge chamber can also be used to chemically react andconvert gasses from full oxidation combustion processes, partialoxidation combustion processes, and all related systems. In addition,gasses of carbonaceous materials, fine sprays, dusts, solutions, andamalgams can also be used to chemically react and convert gasses fromfull oxidation combustion processes, partial oxidation combustionprocesses, and all related systems.

A novel non-combustion method, process and apparatus to chemically reactand convert chemical species, by products from chemical reactions,wastes of any kind, solvents, in-process unreacted materials, biomassand any carbonaceous materials to useful or benign products through theuse of a primary pyrolysis process followed by a discharge chamber orprimary region of a discharge chamber to generate a plurality ofradicals, singlet species, ionic species, high energy and excited statespecies, and molecular fragments to chemically react and convert gassesfrom the pyrolytic process including all molecules, chemicals, chemicalspecies, by products from reactions, wastes, solvents, in-processunreacted materials and other carbonaceous materials to useful or benignproducts present in a secondary discharge chamber or secondary region ofa common discharge chamber.

The primary discharge chamber is a (i) stoichiometrically controlledprimary discharge-system reactor to create singlet state species,reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state speciesthat (ii) act on, break down and react with organic or inorganicmolecules, chemicals, chemical species, byproducts from chemicalreactions, wastes of any kind, solvents, in-process unreacted materials,biomass and any carbonaceous materials in a secondary stoichiometricallycontrolled discharge-system-reactor or (iii) in an alternate region of acommon discharge-system reactor.

In an alternative implementation, the primary and secondary reactorscomprise a non-equilibrium non-thermal plasma discharge-system-reactor,with the plasma zone created through microwave systems, dielectricbarrier discharges, repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharges or Jacob'sladder based discharges or other similar process. In yet alternativeimplementation, the primary and secondary reactors are distinct zones ina common reactor, and the reactor comprises a non-equilibriumnon-thermal plasma discharge-system-reactor, with the plasma zonecreated through microwave systems, dielectric barrier discharges,repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharges or Jacob's ladder baseddischarges. In one implementation, the primary discharge-system-reactoris used to create the singlet state species, reactive radicals andintermediates, ions, and excited state species.

In an alternative implementation, the secondary discharge-system-reactoris used to allow the output of the primary discharge-system-reactor toact on and decompose the material to be converted such as organic orinorganic molecules, chemicals, chemical species, byproducts fromchemical reactions, wastes of any kind, solvents, in-process unreactedmaterials, biomass and any carbonaceous materials, effluent, stack gas,output from pyrolytic processes, output from combustion, seepage fromthermal treatment, landfill effluents, landfill gas, waste of any kind,carbonaceous material, materials of biological origin, treatmentchemicals, and similar wastes.

In one implementation, the primary reactor is a discharge chamber, whichhas initial feed inlets at the base of the reactor. Alternatively, theprimary reactor is a discharge chamber, which has secondary feed inletsabove and distinct from the initial feed inlets. The primary reactor maybe characterized by a discharge chamber in which the initial feed intothe chamber can be a liquid, aerosol solid or dissolved carbon source toprovide initiation or stoichiometric control. Alternatively, the primaryreactor includes by a discharge chamber in which other initial feed intothe chamber comprises air, inert or reactive gasses, noble gasses, orother polar organic or inorganic molecules to provide initiation orstoichiometric control. Yet alternatively, the primary reactor includesa discharge chamber in which the other initial feed into the chambercomprises a plurality of ingredients in combination and selected amongair, inert or reactive gasses, noble gasses, or other organic orinorganic molecules.

In one implementation of the waste disposal system, the primary reactorincludes a discharge chamber in which the secondary feed into thechamber comprises polar organic or inorganic molecules such as water,ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, alcohols, or similar species. Alternatively,primary reactor includes a discharge chamber in which the tertiary feedinto the chamber comprises polar organic or inorganic molecules such aswater, ammonia, or similar species. Alternatively, the primary reactorincludes a discharge chamber in which the secondary and tertiary feedinto the chamber comprises polar organic or inorganic molecules such assteam, saturated steam, superheated steam, ammonia, and blends thereof.

In one implementation, the waste disposal process is carried out byimpinging the output of a discharge-system-reactor created in a primaryregion of a common discharge-system-reactor or a separatedischarge-system-reactor onto the material to be converted or reactedwhich is present in a second region of a common discharge-system-reactoror separate discharge-system-reactor through the use of an in-line mixerinjector.

An implementation of the waste disposal system includes a primarydischarge-system-reactor that is stoichiometrically controlled byintroducing one or more organic or inorganic molecules, polar molecules,air, and molecules containing oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur,carbon and halogens, metalloids, noble gasses and non metals, which canconvert these molecules into a plurality of reactive species, reactiveintermediates, radicals, charged particles, singlet state moieties,which can be used to react with the main stream of material to beconverted. In one implementation, the starting material used in thefirst stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organicmolecules like water, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid,ethers, or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet statespecies, reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited statespecies of the original material. Alternatively, the starting materialused in the first stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic ororganic molecules like water, ammonia, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide,carbon dioxide, carbon disulfide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid,ethers, or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet statespecies, reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited statespecies of the original material, and made to impinge on a stream of thematerial to be reacted.

An implementation of the waste disposal system includes a secondaryreactor with a discharge chamber in which the first feed is the outputof the primary reactor, which impinges on the material to be converted.Alternatively, the secondary reactor includes a discharge chamber inwhich the secondary feed comprises the material to be converted. Yetalternatively, the secondary reactor includes a discharge chamber inwhich the tertiary feed comprises the material to be converted.

The two independent discharge chambers may comprise distinct regionswithin a common chamber separated by a finite distance. Alternatively,the two independent discharge chambers comprise distinct regions withina common chamber separated by a finite distance, wherein the finitedistance is one reactor diameter to ten reactor diameters. Yetalternatively, the two independent discharge chambers comprise distinctregions within a common chamber separated by a finite distance, with thefinite distance is three reactor diameters to five reactor diameters.

An implementation of the waste disposal system includes two reactors ordistinct regions in a common reactor, wherein the reactors includesdischarge chambers. In one implementation, the system consists of tworeactors or distinct regions in a common reactor, and the reactorsinclude discharge chambers operating with DC power, which is pulsed. Yetalternatively, the material to be converted or reacted on in thesecondary chamber or region can be any organic or inorganic molecules,chemicals, chemical species, byproducts from chemical reactions, wastesof any kind, solvents, in-process unreacted materials, biomass and anycarbonaceous materials, solvents containing excess raw materials, andsimilar compounds. Alternatively, the material to be converted orreacted in the secondary chamber or region consists of any type of wasteproduct, industrial waste, municipal waste, waste from chemicalprocesses, biological waste, biomass, medical waste, pharmacy waste,animal waste, sludges and effluents, biogases, sour gas and similarcompounds. Yet alternatively, the material to be converted or reacted inthe secondary chamber or region consists of any type of effluent, stackgas, output from pyrolytic processes, output from combustion, seepagefrom thermal treatment, landfill effluents, landfill gas, waste of anykind, carbonaceous material, materials of biological origin, treatmentchemicals, and similar wastes.

In one implementation, the waste disposal is carried out by impingingthe output of a discharge-system-reactor created in a primary region ofa common discharge-system-reactor or a separate discharge-system-reactoronto the material to be converted or reacted which is present in asecondary region of a common discharge-system-reactor or separatedischarge-system-reactor through the use of an in-line mixer injector.Alternatively, the two regions of the discharge-system-reactor can bepart of a common discharge-system-reactor or two distinctgas-discharge-systems-reactors, which are connected through the use ofan in-line mixer injector. Yet alternatively, the two regions of thedischarge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a pipe. In one alternativeimplementation, the two regions of the discharge-system-reactor can bepart of a common discharge-system-reactor or two distinctgas-discharge-systems-reactors, which are connected through the use of acatalytic region to enhance conversion. Yet alternatively, the tworegions of the discharge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a catalytic region, made of noblemetals, transition metals, their corresponding oxides, and activatedspecies.

An implementation of the waste disposal system disclosed herein includesa primary discharge-system-reactor that is stoichiometrically controlledby introducing one or more organic or inorganic molecules, polarmolecules, air, and molecules containing oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus,sulfur, carbon and halogens, metalloids, noble gasses and non metals,which can convert these molecules into a plurality of reactive species,reactive intermediates, radicals, charged particles, singlet statemoieties, which can be used to react with the main stream of material tobe converted. In one implementation, the starting material used in thefirst stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organicmolecules like water, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid,ethers, or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet statespecies, reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited statespecies of the original material. Alternatively, the starting materialused in the first stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic ororganic molecules like water, ammonia, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide,carbon dioxide, carbon disulfide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid,ethers, or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet statespecies, reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited statespecies of the original material, and made to impinge on a stream of thematerial to be reacted.

In one implementation of the waste disposal system, the flow, massoutput and linear flow rate of the output of the primarydischarge-system-reactor are controlled to provide sufficient reactivespecies to consume all the material to be reacted in the secondarydischarge-system-reactor. Alternatively, the material to be reacted isimpinged onto the output of a discharge-system-reactor created in aprimary region or reactor, which is present in a second region of acommon or separate reactor. The starting material used in the firststage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organic moleculeslike water, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, orsimilar compounds, which are converted to singlet state species,reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species ofthe original material. Yet alternatively, a discharge-system-reactorwhere the primary and secondary regions can comprise two distinctreactors or two distinct areas of a common reactor, which are connectedthrough the use of an in-line mixer injector.

Alternatively, the two regions of the discharge-system-reactor can bepart of a common discharge-system-reactor or two distinctgas-discharge-systems-reactors, which are connected through the use of apipe. Yet alternatively, the two regions of the discharge-system-reactorcan be part of a common discharge-system-reactor or two distinctgas-discharge-systems-reactors, which are connected through the use of acatalytic region to enhance conversion. Alternatively, the two regionsof the discharge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a catalytic region, made of noblemetals, transition metals, their corresponding oxides, and activatedspecies.

In one implementation, the starting material used in the first stage,region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organic molecules likewater, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, or similarcompounds, which are converted to singlet state species, reactiveradicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species of theoriginal material. Alternatively, the starting material used in thefirst stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organicmolecules like water, ammonia, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide, carbondioxide, carbon disulfide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers,or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet state species,reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species ofthe original material, and made to impinge on a stream of the materialto be reacted. Yet alternatively, the blending of the impinging streamand material to be converted is carried out using an in-line mixer,which maximizes turbulence, reaction kinetics, diffusion rates andspecies transport. Alternatively, the blending of the impinging streamand material to be converted are mixed using an in-line mixer composedof catalytic metals and activated surfaces, modified activated surfaces,plated activated surfaces, laminates and coated surfaces that enhancethe overall reaction.

In an alternative implementation, the blending of the impinging streamand material to be converted are mixed using a mixing chamber whichconsists of catalytic metal and metal oxide gauzes, sponges, impregnatedporous materials and surface treated materials, activated surfaces,modified activated surfaces, plated activated surfaces, laminates andcoated surfaces that enhance the overall reaction. Alternatively, theoutput of a discharge-system-reactor created in a primary region of acommon discharge-system-reactor or a separate discharge-system-reactoris impinged onto the material to be converted or reacted which ispresent in a second region of a common discharge-system-reactor orseparate discharge-system-reactor through the use of an in-line mixerinjector. Yet alternatively, the two regions of thedischarge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of an in-line mixer injector.

In yet alternative implementation, the two regions of thedischarge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a pipe. Alternatively, the tworegions of the discharge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a catalytic region to enhanceconversion. Yet alternatively, the two regions of thedischarge-system-reactor can be part of a commondischarge-system-reactor or two distinct gas-discharge-systems-reactors,which are connected through the use of a catalytic region made of noblemetals, transition metals, their corresponding oxides, and activatedspecies.

In one implementation, the starting material used in the first stage,region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organic molecules likewater, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, or similarcompounds, which are converted to singlet state species, reactiveradicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species of theoriginal material. Alternatively, the starting material used in thefirst stage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organicmolecules like water, ammonia, phosphine, hydrogen sulfide, carbondioxide, carbon disulfide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers,or similar compounds, which are converted to singlet state species,reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species ofthe original material, and made to impinge on a stream of the materialto be reacted.

In an alternative implementation, the material to be reacted is impingedonto the output of a gas discharge system created in a primary region orreactor onto the material to be converted or reacted, which is presentin a second region of a common or separate reactor. The startingmaterial used in the first stage, region or reactor comprises polarinorganic or organic molecules like water, ammonia, methanol,formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, or similar compounds, which areconverted to singlet state species, reactive radicals and intermediates,ions, and excited state species of the original material. Alternatively,the starting material used in the first stage, region or reactorcomprises polar inorganic or organic molecules like water, ammonia,phosphine, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, carbon disulfide, methanol,formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, or similar compounds, which areconverted to singlet state species, reactive radicals and intermediates,ions, and excited state species of the original material, and made toimpinge on a stream of the material to be reacted. Yet alternatively,the material to be reacted is impinged onto the output of a gasdischarge system created in a primary region or reactor onto thematerial to be converted or reacted, which is present in a second regionof a common or separate reactor. The starting material used in the firststage, region or reactor comprises polar inorganic or organic moleculeslike water, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethers, orsimilar compounds, which are converted to singlet state species,reactive radicals and intermediates, ions, and excited state species ofthe original material. The material to be converted or reacted can beany chemical compound, byproducts from reactions, solvent and byproductcontaining solvents, solvents containing unreacted species, solventscontaining excess raw materials, wastes, and similar compounds includingbacterial, microbial and viral systems, human and animal tissue.

In one implementation, the blending of the impinging stream and materialto be converted is carried out using an in-line mixer, which maximizesturbulence, reaction kinetics, diffusion rates and species transport.Alternatively, the blending of the impinging stream and material to beconverted are mixed using an in-line mixer composed of catalytic metalsand activated surfaces, modified activated surfaces, plated activatedsurfaces, laminates and coated surfaces that enhance the overallreaction. Yet alternatively, the blending of the impinging stream andmaterial to be converted are mixed using a mixing chamber which consistsof catalytic metal and metal oxide gauzes, sponges, impregnated porousmaterials and surface treated materials, activated surfaces, modifiedactivated surfaces, plated activated surfaces, laminates and coatedsurfaces that enhance the overall reaction. Alternatively, the speciescreated by the non-equilibrium non-thermal plasma are used to carry outthe non-combustion and reactions and convert chemicals, byproducts,wastes of any kind, solvents, in-process unreacted materials and anycarbonaceous materials to useful or benign products through the use of astoichiometrically controlled gas-discharge-system or reactor to createpre-formed or in-situ formed singlet state species, reactive radicalsand intermediates, ions, and excited state species to act on and breakdown the chemicals, byproducts, wastes of any kind, solvents, in-processunreacted materials and any carbonaceous materials in a secondstoichiometrically controlled gas-discharge-system or reactor or analternate region of a common gas-discharge-system or reactor.

In one implementation of the waste disposal system, both the primary andsecondary reaction chambers comprise a non-steady-state discharge in acoaxial electrode system from a classical arc plasmatron. In such animplementation, no power is supplied to the chambers—the power issupplied to the plasma torch, which fires into the secondary chamber. Inone implementation, the power supplied to either chamber is very low,with currents of between 0.001 and 10 amps. Alternatively, the powersupplied to either chamber is very low, with currents of between 0.001and 1 amps. Alternatively, the power supplied to either chamber is verylow, with currents of between 0.001 and 0.1 amps. Yet alternatively, thepower supplied to either chamber is very low, with potentials of between0.1 and 200 kV. Alternatively, the power supplied to either chamber isvery low, with potentials of between 1 and 30 kV. Alternatively, thepower supplied to either chamber is very low, with potentials of between5 and 15 kV.

In am implementation of the waste disposal system, the primary andsecondary reactors are fitted with heat exchangers to the overall commonor individual reactor design is optimized to facilitate energymanagement and capture.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of theinvention. Since many implementations of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theinvention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore,structural features of the different implementations may be combined inyet another implementation without departing from the recited claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: generating a stream of freeradicals using a low energy plasma torch generating cold plasma;injecting at least one of smoke, combustible gas, air, steam, and inertgas into a secondary chamber; and impinging the stream of free radicalson the flow of the at least one of smoke, combustible gas, air, steam,and inert gas, wherein the secondary chamber further comprises acatalyst to accelerate the reaction of the free radicals with the smoke.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the smoke is generated from apyrolysis chamber and has a heat value.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the smoke is generated from solid waste product.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the smoke comprises at least one of particles atmolecular size and hydrocarbon components.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one of smoke, combustible gas, air, steam, andinert gas are inserted into the secondary chamber using a plurality ofconcentric pipes.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ofsmoke, combustible gas, air, steam, and inert gas are inserted into thesecondary chamber using a plurality of pipes at an angle to each other.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the air is humid air at temperaturebelow a dew point of the air.
 8. A system for disposing waste, thesystem comprising: a plasma igniter configured to create a stream offree radicals; a means for generating smoke from solid waste, whereinthe smoke having a heat value of at least one BTU/g; and a chamberconfigured to inject smoke into the stream of free radicals, wherein thechamber further comprises a catalyst to accelerate the reaction of thefree radicals with the smoke.
 9. The system of claim 8, furthercomprising a plasma igniter is configured to operate at high voltage andlow amperage.
 10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a wasteprocessor to generate the smoke from waste products.
 11. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the chamber further comprises a plurality of pipes toinject at least one of air, steam, and inert gases.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein at least two or more of the pipes are concentricpipes.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the chamber further comprisesa catalyst screen to accelerate reaction of the free radicals with thesmoke.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the chamber further comprisesat least one monitor to monitor output from the secondary chamber. 15.The system of claim 8, wherein the chamber further comprises at leastone monitor to monitor operating parameters of the secondary chamber.16. The system of claim 8, wherein the smoke is received from arefinery.
 17. The system of claim 8, wherein the smoke is generated fromhospital waste products.
 18. A method comprising: generating a stream offree radicals using at least one of a plasma torch and a plasma igniter;injecting smoke generated from at least one of waste chemical, liquidwaste, processing byproducts, gasses, vapors, and fuel streams into thestream of free radicals; and accelerating reaction of the smoke with thestream of free radicals using catalyst in a secondary chamber.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the smoke has a heat value of in a range ofone BTU/g to one hundred BTU/g.